Unpacking a popular wellness trend
Classified as the world's first swimming dinosaur, the Northern African Spinosaurus was the largest carnivorous dinosaur ever discovered. This predator, weighing around 10 tons, had large crocodile-like jaws designed for catching fish in deep rivers.
Its vertebrae were said to be 20 times larger than those of the T-rex. To visualize its size, consider that one Spinosaurus was nearly as long as one and a half of London’s double-decker buses!
Despite their smaller size, Velociraptors wreaked havoc with a deadly sickle-shaped claw on each foot. They were swift predators that resembled birds, and were among the most famous theropod dinosaurs.
Velociraptors were among the deadliest dinosaurs due to their agility, intelligence, and non-reptilian appearance. They hunted in large packs and used their hook-like claws to grasp fleeing prey.
The mighty Utahraptor is known for its vicious appetite and large size. With nine-inch (23 cm) sharp claws and razor-sharp teeth, it could tear its prey apart in a matter of seconds.
It also had unusually thick leg bones that helped it repeatedly drive its killing claws into its prey. Yet the most terrifying characteristic was its relentless pursuit—it probably wouldn’t give up easily!
Every dinosaur enthusiast is familiar with the infamous T-rex. The name means "tyrant lizard king," and with a bite force three times that of a great white shark, it possessed the strongest bite of any land animal that ever lived.
The fearsome T-rex hunted live prey, but also scavenged carcasses. Weighing nearly twice as much as an Asian elephant, it had deadly bacteria in its saliva, ensuring that even escaping prey would eventually succumb.
This raptor ranks among the most powerful dinosaurs, not only for its intimidating traits, but also for its name, which means "shark-toothed lizard." Despite its smaller arms, it possessed 7.8-inch- (20-cm-) long serrated teeth in its jaw, capable of slicing through flesh like switchblades.
Despite the fact that Carcharodontosaurus had a large head, which was almost 1.6 meters long, its brain was smaller than that of a human. However, its powerful legs allowed it to run at 20 mph (32 km/h), enough to outrun T-rex and other predators of its time.
Considered the most dangerous and powerful predator of the late Jurassic period, Tarbosaurus was capable of defeating Velociraptor and Utahraptor. This member of the T-rex family had 60 large teeth and smaller forelimbs.
It’s listed among the deadliest dinosaurs due to its unique jaw-locking mechanism, which allowed it to firmly grasp its prey. On top of that, these nocturnal hunters targeted mostly large dinosaurs in their area.
Direct scientific evidence suggests this ferocious predator was 30 feet (nine meters) long and hunted in packs. Their close coordination while hunting in groups added strength and increased lethality.
Discovered by an amateur fossil hunter in deposits of Patagonia, this giant monster is argued to have resided in modern-day Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period. This three-fingered predator was a rival to T-rex in body size and ferocity.
Giganotosaurus weighed approximately 8-10 tons and its superior balance gave it high speed, enabling it to take down even full-grown titanosaurs. Its 7.8-in- (20-cm-) long teeth alone were enough to terrorize smaller dinosaurs.
Despite its deadly nature, it seems that Allosaurus wasn’t very smart. A group of adults perished in a single quarry in modern-day Utah, trapped in deep muck as they salivated over already-captured prey...
Whenever an opportunity arose, Deinonychus would quickly jump on its prey, then disembowel it using its jaws, hands, and retractable razor-sharp toe-claws.
Troodon's sleek and nimble build gave it the ability to sprint with impressive speed and agility. With their sharp minds and keen vision, a pack of Troodons could outwit and overpower even the most colossal dinosaurs.
A distant relative of the T-rex, Carnotaurus had smaller arms and two distinctive horns on its head that were effective tools for injuring or killing large prey.
Evidence indicates that Carnotaurus often engaged in head-to-head combat. They likely used their horns as shock absorbers during these confrontations, cushioning the impact and allowing for repeated blows.
Megaraptor was an intimidating 26-foot- (eight meter-) long dinosaur, capable of taking down even a dilophosaurus. Weighing over 2200 pounds (about 1000 kg), this apex predator's success in hunting was largely due to its impressive foot claw, which measured around 30 centimeters (12 in) in length.
Its unique body structure, supported by its considerable weight, also provided strong defensive capabilities, allowing it to dominate its territory and create havoc.
Sources: (Business Insider) (My Dinosaurs) (Only Dinosaurs)
Experts suggest that Ankylosaurus could inflict significant damage with its tail, even on a T-Rex. This unique combination of defensive and offensive capabilities made it one of the most dangerous dinosaurs of its time.
This lightweight dinosaur is another testament to how intelligence can trump physical strength. Weighing just about 44 pounds (20 kg), it utilized its impressive blade-like cutting teeth to efficiently chop its prey into pieces.
This powerful, three-ton meat-eater is believed to have been larger and deadlier than the later T-rex. Its three-fingered hands were tipped with massive talons for firmly capturing prey.
This quick-witted pack hunter specifically built for speedy pursuit was twice the size of Velociraptor. Its interlocking vertebrae enabled the predator to balance its stiff tail while running.
Deadliness should never be judged by appearance, and Troodon is perfect proof of this. The four-foot- (1.2-meter-) tall, nearly 90-pound (40-kg) tiny dinosaur had an impressive brain-to-body-weight ratio, and with its large, orb-like eyes, it was capable of seeing in low-light conditions.
Similar to Troodon, Coelophysis hunted in organized groups, employing strategic planning in their pursuits. These small dinosaurs often leveraged their size to their advantage, hiding in tight spaces and launching attacks at the most opportune moments.
Despite being a herbivore, Ankylosaurus was far from harmless. This armored dinosaur wielded a knobby, 100-pound (45-kg) tail, which was not just for defense; it was also used to deliver devastating blows.
Even though they never overlapped with mankind, dinosaurs have fascinated researchers, historians, and academics alike since they vanished from Earth around 66 million years ago. But have you ever wondered what makes a dinosaur truly terrifying? It’s a thrilling cocktail of massive size, bone-crushing jaws, and razor-sharp claws. Throw in some extraordinary adaptations, and you've got a recipe for the most fearsome and formidable creatures to ever roam the Earth.
Click through the following gallery to discover the most dangerous dinosaurs to once rule the world.
The most dangerous dinosaurs that once ruled the world
Who were the apex predators of their time?
LIFESTYLE Prehistoric animals
Even though they never overlapped with mankind, dinosaurs have fascinated researchers, historians, and academics alike since they vanished from Earth around 66 million years ago. But have you ever wondered what makes a dinosaur truly terrifying? It’s a thrilling cocktail of massive size, bone-crushing jaws, and razor-sharp claws. Throw in some extraordinary adaptations, and you've got a recipe for the most fearsome and formidable creatures to ever roam the Earth.
Click through the following gallery to discover the most dangerous dinosaurs to once rule the world.